ECHO PLAYGROUNDS I
Caylie Howard | photo courtesy of Carey Marin
t’s a constant, every day battle with our younger generation to get them off of electronics and outside enjoying all that Mother Nature has to offer. In this day and age, almost everything we could ever want or need can be found electronically. It’s become obvious that the art of imagination from our outdoor surroundings has started to become lost with each passing day. That’s why these next level ECHO playgrounds are such an important project for our local Denton County communities. Taylor Morrison, one of the nation’s
wildlife habitats in the homebuilder’s communities nationwide.
with the National Wildlife Federation to
The very first homebuilder’s community to feature one of these amazing ECHO Playscapes is our very own Denton County’s, The Ridge at Northlake. Residents of this community have access to incredible amenities, including 64
leading homebuilders, has teamed up
design and build Early Childhood Health
Outdoors, or ECHO, nature playscapes in
select communities across the country. It’s a part of the two organization’s ongoing partnership to restore and protect
acres of certified open space, a Monarch butterfly garden, an outdoor ninja course, a resort style pool with zero-entry areas and an included splash pad, a crosstraining gym, outdoor grills and a fire pit, along with miles of hiking and biking trails. There is even an indoor miniature city for the community’s littlest residents to enjoy creative play. “Far from your average playground, we have developed a space where imaginations and little ones can run wild,” said Ryan Huey, Vice President of Corporate Land Investment for Taylor Morrison. “This innovative ECHO Playscape features varied topography, a mix of play surfaces and unique and mentally stimulating features such as intricate climbing platforms, rope walls,
multiple swing sets and slides. It provides a progression of activity based on ages and is a wonderful addition to our Ridge at Northlake community.” Thanks to the combined efforts of Taylor Morrison and the National Wildlife Federation, our younger generation are being given the opportunity to experience the magic of nature and imagination in everyday life. ECHO playgrounds are making the task of setting aside your electronics and enjoying the great outdoors less of a battle and more of a reward for the children of today. www.LiveLocalMagazines.com
SEPTEMBER 2021 | 35 WEST | 7
